The 2017 Race in Virginia – The Important Election No One is Paying Attention To

The Shape of Things to Come

Only Virginia and New Jersey has gubernatorial elections this year, and in New Jersey there really isn’t a contest.  Current Republican incumbent Chris Christie is about as popular as a pigeon doo-doo and so that contest should not be in doubt for the Dems.  But in Virginia both the primary in June and the election in November will be critical.

The GOP contest in Virginia involves a primary with a main stream candidate, a Trump like so-called conservative and a person of in determinant status.

“Three Republicans vying to be Virginia's next governor — a closely watched contest that could provide an early window on President Donald Trump's popularity — showed their markedly different styles in a debate Thursday.

Frontrunner Ed Gillespie, a moderate GOP insider who advised former President George W. Bush, largely ignored attacks against him in the debate ahead of a June primary, instead focusing on pocketbook issues  . . .

But Trump's onetime campaign chairman in Virginia, Corey Stewart, directed most of his anger directly at Gillespie throughout the hourlong debate. Stewart sought to portray Gillespie, who made a lucrative career as a lobbyist and consultant, as a party elitist beholden to deep-pocketed special interests.

Like Trump did during his campaign, Stewart vowed a muscular anti-illegal immigration policy if elected.

"If you're looking for somebody who is not afraid of controversy, and if you're looking for a winner, then I am your candidate," Stewart said.

A third candidate, Virginia Beach state Sen. Frank Wagner, bashed both candidates as too inexperienced to lead the state and said he was the only one willing to make tough choices — such as supporting a gas tax increase to pay for transportation projects.”

If Virginia Republicans choose the confederate leaning Stewart it will be more evidence the crazy wing of the Republican party has completely taken over the party. 

“Stewart has been a stalwart defender of the president. In recent weeks his campaign has become increasingly focused on his efforts preserving Confederate symbols and statues, a bid many view as an appeal to disaffected white voters who supported Trump.”

And the betting here is that will be the case, after the GOP is now headed by Crazy-in-Chief.  Preserving Confederate symbols is what modern southern Republicans are all about.

On the Democratic side there is an establishment candidate and a more progressive one.  The election in November will be a real test of just how popular and permanent Trumpism, or No-nothingism as it was known in the past really is.